Cricket’s a hit for well-being in Sowerby Bridge

Using cricket and sporting-related activities, the Foundation works with disadvantaged and vulnerable individuals as well as schools, youth services and carers to provide coaching, support and life-skills.

Across the summer holidays, the Foundation ran 12 days of free cricket camps for around 75 children, and provided more than 300 meals, drinks and snacks for free.

The Foundation has also awarded four scholarships to individuals who otherwise may not have the finances to access regular training sessions to help them fulfil their potential, or help with health conditions.

Such initaitives were in part paid for by the proceeds of a 24-hour netathon earlier this year, which saw 120 volunteers of all ages participating during a continuous 24 hour cricket net, raising over £4,000 for the organisation.

Foundation trustee Neeraj Bhasin said: “As a group of trustees and coaches we feel extraordinarily privileged to be able to deliver these initiatives within our community, we know they help and it’s so important we can do this.

“COVID has been a phenomenally difficult time for everyone, including peoples’ mental and physical health and wellbeing, being able to help through the power of a sport we all love is brilliant. We obviously have to say an immense thank you to our scholarship sponsors, all the individuals who participated in the Netathon, played cricket through the night, gave donations or sponsored individuals, donated raffle prizes and contributed in any way. If it wasn’t for them, we wouldn’t be able to do the work we do.”

For more details, visit www.tcafoundation.org, or go to @TCA_Foundation on Twitter or The Cricket Asylum Foundation on Facebook.